The Social Acceptance of Arts in Lebanon and Brazil (International Perspective)
Article from Lebanese Perspective:
As a third world country, Lebanon struggles in many different ways. Socially, sexism is at a point where college majors are only allowing one gender. Society expects each individual (according to their gender) to complete specific jobs or tasks. Most Lebanese citizens consider art-based majors are for females only, like dancing or drawing for example. If males do go into this field, many would consider that male individual as a shame for his family. Moreover, males are expected to be doctors and engineers or to be majoring in science-based programs. Art almost has no meaning here. So when will Lebanon/Middle East figure out the real value of art and its importance for our region in society?
We are taught how to think, act, and blend, but are we taught to actually live? It has been imposed on us to believe what has been written in books about society, like convincing a fish that life for it outside the water is as good as inside of it. Here, in the Middle East, we dream as much as every person in the West does, but the difference that stands between us is a social mentality. We aspire to be artists with endeavors to hop aboard the train of arts, but society has always found its way to nose in from an early age to young adulthood.
During our youth, we are mostly encouraged to have artistic skills, but only for specific reasons and the choice isn’t entirely open. Here, our parents want us to learn the piano so you could perform in front of their friends. Here, our parents want us to learn the guitar because our mom’s friend’s kid plays it as well. On another note, the choice of your artistic skill according to traditional parents is limited based on your gender. For example, it is refused for a male to participate in a dance class because it turns him into a “feminine” figure. Adding to that, it is discouraged for a female to join a soccer team for example because it renders her “masculine”.
Now that you’ve finished high school, you’re ready to choose the major and career that you’ll commit to for the rest of your life. Thinking of becoming an actor? Yes, leave it as a dream. It is a shared mentality among most, if not all, Lebanese and Arabs that successful people are the ones who become doctors, engineers, or lawyers. Anything other than that, you must consider yourself a disappointment to your family and in the eye of this vicious society. You instantly become the breaking news of your local elder women’s “sobhiyyeh” (meetings with middle-aged and older women for morning coffee) and their conversation would look something like this:
– “Jeanette did you hear about what Claudette’s son is majoring in?”
– “No, what will he be doing?”
– “Performing arts!”
– “Oh, poor Claudette, she had a beautiful son.”
Yes, it’ll go as if you’re a lost cause!
It may sound odd knowing that Lebanon has been renowned for its art and culture, its singers and actors, but that’s the only picture that gets shown. You’ve probably heard about the traditional dance “Dabkeh”, the famous historical singers “Sabah” and “Fairouz”, the renowned actress “Nadine Labakeh”, but these constitute the rarest minority who even fought hard for their careers. Only the big and fake pictures get shared on the news about artistic accomplishments, but they never share how little technical or moral encouragement they do in the path of art.
At the end of the day, everyone will proceed with their beliefs, and my information doesn’t apply to every Lebanese citizen. However, they are still relevant. Although our society still thinks regressively, we are still considered the most open-minded country in the middle east. Personally, I see that there might be hope for change with the rising generation but for now, we shall deal with the Arabian regression.
Joe Sawma (Lebanese)
Article from Brazilian perspective:
Brazil is a country whose art deeply and directly interacts with its culture. When it comes to Brazilian society, the mindset is set to encourage people to major in arts. This relationship between culture and arts is because of slavery and Brazil’s environment. The interaction between Brazil’s culture and arts resulted in Capoeira, Samba, through great football. In the future, Brazil is supposed to keep on going down the same path.
In some countries, people ask if they are taught to live, while in Brazil people try to teach their youth to live with its beaches, forests, rivers, and animals. This is because of the pride South Americans feel about their lands and nationality. This love to get closer to nature made Brazil famous in arts, which let its people focus more on art majors than science ones. Rio De Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia streets are full of artistic statues, sculptures, pictures, and drawings. Carnaval, soccer, and Capoeira are all results of Brazilian’s love of arts.
From kindergarten on, parents and schools encourage us to know more about our arts and cultures. In Brazil’s curriculum, students start taking “Brazilian Art” courses early on. This course deeply focuses on every single sociological and historical detail behind arts in Brazil. Not only this but also music classes teach the students to play Brazilian cultural instruments first before moving into international ones. Examples of cultural instruments are pandeiro, repique, cavaco, and reco-reco. And after learning how to play these instruments, around grades 5 or 6, dance classes are provided by the school. Most students do take these classes for fun and to learn how to dance Brazil’s national dance, Samba.
After becoming good at Samba, the youth begins focusing more on Brazil’s annual Carnaval. Carnaval in Brazil is a 3-day festival where multiple bands sing and dance the Samba until almost 3 or 4 am. Brazilians stay awake during this time drinking beers and dancing. It is held in every major city in Brazil’s 26 states. Moreover, in Carnaval, the bands hire people from different art majors to work with them throughout the year in preparation for the following year’s Carnaval. These hired people focus on the band’s clothing and songs so that all their shows would signify something valuable. Based on all this, the bands get rated, and the one with the best combination of dance, clothing, and songs wins the Carnaval competition. Rio de Janeiro by itself hosts around 7 million people who attend its Carnaval.
Similar to what was previously mentioned, Brazilians do have two national martial arts. Capoeira is the name of one. A mesmerizing blend of acrobatics, Samba dance, martial arts, and hypnotizing music, it is deeply embedded in Brazilian culture with its influence apparent throughout Brazil’s history and in its ever-increasing popularity today. Developed in Brazil mainly by West Africans over 500 years ago, it’s known for its quick and complex series of movements that combine speed and power into a variety of sharp kicks and agile techniques. Capoeira focuses on avoiding attacks with evasive moves rather than blocking them. It was developed by slaves who used it to disguise the fact that they were practicing fight moves as a way to fight for their freedom. The visuals and music are a memorizing mix, and skilled capoeiristas demonstrate individual human skill while illuminating an art that represents layers of social history and culture. Its presence in Brazilian culture is stronger than ever, and it remains a vital testament to the country’s complex history.
However, when mentioning Brazil, no one can’t think about football ( also known as soccer for North Americans.) The country is famous for this sport as being the world’s most successful nation in winning world cups. Football has been the soul of Brazil for decades. Every citizen has played the sport at least once and has felt the thrill, excitement, and integrity that football brings to the table. Brazil was introduced to football during the 19th century, and ever since then, the game evolved as more people began to play and brought in a unique style of football called Ginga. The word means ” sway” representing the moves of the players. Ginga is a blend of Brazilian culture that seeped into the football fields. The first ingredient that influenced Ginga was Capoeira. The second part of Ginga involves the principles of Samba dance. The dance is mostly performed standing straight with leg movement that involves bending of the knees. The feet move ever so slightly, and when a ball is added to the equation, the result is the equivalent of dribbling. Combining these two strong and versatile styles of the Brazilian culture gave birth to the quick-witted, swaying, and fast-flowing movements of Ginga. Some common moves of Ginga include juggling, dribbling, and controlling the ball in all parts of the foot. It also uses unique passes where the ball is passed using the thighs or the back. The style is all about how one ” sways” the ball, with agility and grace. Ginga is embedded into the culture of Brazilians. It is Brazilian art.
“The Land of Art” as many call it, represents Brazil’s relationship with arts that just can’t be described with a few hundred words. People should visit Brazil to understand how valuable art is in this country.
Adonis Assaad (Brazilian perspective)